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HIV and Nutrition

HIV patients often have little interest in eating, but this loss of appetite, caused by both HIV symptoms and HIV medication, can further impact your health. Learn simple steps to help revive your interest in food and get the nutrition you need.

When you have HIV, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. The proper diet ensures that your body has the fuel and nutrients it needs to live well with HIV.

While good nutrition is important for everyone, it's even more important when you have HIV, says Ernesto J. Lamadrid, MD, director of HIV/AIDS services, Alachua County Health Department in Florida, and adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Nursing in Gainesville. A healthy diet is helps to boost an immune system weakened by HIV.

Better Nutrition for Managing HIV

With HIV, you may need to counter a loss of appetite and the resulting weight loss — possible side effects of the illness and of HIV medications. Here are some strategies for boosting your nutritional intake.

Recruit a dietitian for your treatment team. People who have advanced disease or who are not taking their HIV medications tend to lose weight due to disease progression, says Dr. Lamadrid. He suggests working with a dietitian to determine the best plan for gaining weight. You can also talk to your doctor about medications that can stimulate the appetite, as well as those that can ease the side effects of your HIV medications. Common side effects that can cause a loss of appetite include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Aim for a balanced diet. When choosing from the different food groups, keep this balance in mind: 50 to 55 percent of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, primarily from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; about 30 percent should be from fats; and about 15 to 20 percent from proteins. Don’t forget dairy products for calcium and other nutrients.

Retotal your calorie needs. Because HIV makes the body burn more calories, you should eat about 10 percent more calories every day, while still focusing on healthy foods.

Rethink the way you eat to stimulate appetite. Try these strategies to get the calories and nutrition you need, even when you’re experiencing a loss of appetite:

If your loss of appetite and weight loss continue, Lamadrid suggests working with your physician to determine if the weight loss is due to another medical problem. "Because people infected with HIV now live longer, they may develop other conditions such as hypertension and diabetes," he explains.

You may also be at an increased risk for such conditions because of HIV treatments. "Many HIV drugs can cause metabolic problems, leading to elevated cholesterol and diabetes, among other issues,” says Lamadrid. “It is also known that the HIV virus has inflammatory properties potentially contributing to these conditions."

When you have HIV, you have to work hard to make sure that your nutritional needs are met, to promote both a healthier immune system and better overall health. Know that these efforts will serve you well in the years ahead.

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